10 Science-based Health Benefits of Thyme

Thyme, an herb from the mint family with dietary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, is packed with health-promoting compounds, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. It not only perks up your cooking but also helps your body get rid of harmful organisms and supports your physical and mental health.

The nutrients present in this wonderful herb have both disease-preventing and health-promoting properties.

Nutritional Value of Thyme

Thymol is one of the most important volatile oils found in thyme that offers antiseptic and antifungal properties.[1] Other volatile oils in thyme include carvacrol, geraniol and borneol.

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Being rich in flavonoid phenolic compounds like zeaxanthin, apigenin, lutein, luteolin and thymosin, thyme also works as a natural antioxidant. In fact, fresh thyme contains more antioxidant compounds than many other culinary and medicinal herbs.[2]

This aromatic herb is also a good source of vitamins. It is particularly rich in vitamins A and C. Other nutrients found in this herb include vitamins K and E, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and selenium.[3]

Its leaves, flowers and oil have been used in the treatment of several ailments.

Nutritional value of fresh thyme per 100 grams:

Water

g

65.11

Energy

kcal

101

Protein

g

5.56

Total lipid

g

1.68

Carbohydrate

g

24.45

Fiber

g

14.0

Calcium, Ca

mg

405

Iron, Fe

mg

17.45

Magnesium, Mg

mg

160

Phosphorus, P

mg

106

Potassium, K

mg

609

Sodium, Na

mg

9

Zinc, Zn

mg

1.81

Vitamin C

mg

160.1

Riboflavin

mg

0.471

Niacin

mg

1.824

Vitamin B-6

mg

0.348

Folate

mcg

45

Vitamin A

mcg

238

Precautions and Risk Factors

People with pre-existing allergies to oregano or other Lamiaceae species might want to stay off thyme as well since it can potentially trigger an adverse reaction.

Since thyme is known to inhibit the blood clotting process, its best to limit its use if you happen to suffer from a bleeding disorder. Excessive consumption of thyme might increase your risk of bleeding in otherwise healthy individuals as well.

Since thyme exhibits estrogen-like properties in the body, you are recommended to avoid its use if you suffer from any hormone-sensitive condition that might get aggravated by exposure to estrogen. These include breast, ovarian or uterine cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.

Thyme has been found to delay the blood clotting process which naturally makes it conducive to an increased risk of bleeding. Thus, one is advised to stop using thyme well before any surgery, at least 2 weeks in advance.

Drug Interactions

Thyme has a blood thinning effect which is compounded when taken along with other anti-coagulant medications such asaspirin, Naproxen, Cataflam, Warfarin, Ibuprofen among others, that also delay the clotting process. Taking the two together can put you at an increased risk of bruising and bleeding.

Making Thyme Tea

Thyme, available in both fresh and dried forms, can be used in many different ways, including as tea.

1. Reduces & Stops Coughing

It also helps reduce congestion, by making mucus thinner and easier to eliminate.

Along with easing cold and cough symptoms, thyme may complement the action of traditional treatments for upper respiratory infections. It helps soothe irritated airways, fights infection in the lungs and prevents bronchial spasms.[5]

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In a 2011 randomized, placebo-controlled study published in the journal Arzneimittel-Forschung found that a combination of thyme and ivy leaves (as a fluid extract) produced symptom attenuation in acute bronchitis that was superior to placebo.[6]

Most people with respiratory issues obtain relief from a few cups of warm thyme tea.

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

Thyme is reputed to help lower blood pressure, most likely due to its diuretic properties which reduces the fluid volume in arteries as well as its ability to lower cholesterol including LDL as well as triglycerides.[7] Also, the herb contains lots of potassium, which is integral to maintaining normal blood pressure.[3]

In a study carried out in Serbia and published in 2016, a group of scientists found that a freeze-dried powder created from a water extract of wild thyme reduced blood pressure and vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive lab rats.

The analysis indicated that upregulation of a specific gene called plasma heme oxygenase-1 oxidized the blood protein heme resulting in the production of carbon monoxide which in turn produced blood vessel relation and a corresponding reduction in blood pressure.[8]

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The study mentioned above gels with a similar one involving spontaneously hypertensive rats which was published in 2013 in the journal Plant Foods in Human Nutrition.[9]

Use thyme as a substitute for salt in your cooking to help lower your blood pressure.

3. Complements Antimicrobial Activity of the Immune System

Thyme is rich in a compound called thymol which has antimicrobial properties. Also, being rich in antioxidants, thyme prevents oxidative damage to DNA in human lymphocytes (white blood cells).[10]

A 2011 bench study published in the journal Medicinal Chemistry found thyme oil to be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia and pseudomonas bacteria.[11]

The herb is also a rich source of several vitamins that your body needs every day to function properly. It is packed with vitamin C and also has vitamin A, both of which support immunity, as well as copper, fiber, iron and manganese, which are needed for good health.[3]

You can also take this herb in supplement form, but only after consulting your healthcare provider.

4. Improves Oral Health

Thyme contains antibacterial properties that help treat or prevent oral infections. A component of thyme oil, thymol, is used in dental care products because of its natural ability to prevent tooth decay and gum problems.[12]

A 2017 study published in the German journal Fitoterapia found thyme essential oil to be effective against Streptococcus mutans bacteria that contributes to dental caries or tooth decay. Laboratory researchers have also found that thyme essential oil is effective against patient-derived drug-resistant strains of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Pseudomonas genus.[13]

In keeping with its power to eliminate oral pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, thyme has acquired a reputation for alleviating oral problems like gum inflammation and mouth sores.

Rinsing one’s mouth for 30 seconds with a thymol solution can help get rid of bacteria that are linked to tooth decay, gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue around teeth) and infections such as canker sores.

Mix 1 or 2 drops of thyme oil in 1 cup of lukewarm water. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to this solution (to enhance its palatability). Rinse your mouth with it for 30 seconds, twice daily.

Another option is to rinse your mouth with thyme tea a few times a day.

5. Boosts Mood

Thyme or thyme oil has long enjoyed a reputation among herbalists, naturopaths and integrative physicians for alleviating depression and lifting the mood. This property may be due to the fact that thyme contains carvacrol, a monoterpenoid phenol which acts as a memory booster and an antidepressant in lab animal models.[14]

In a 2013 study published in the journal Molecules, the researchers reported that administering low dose carvacrol (12.5 mg/kg orally) to rats resulted in an increase in the mood-modulating neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex of the animals. If this holds true for people, then ingesting thyme tea in moderation (2 to 3 cups or so daily) should have a positive effect on feelings of well-being.[15]

6. Treats Acne and Other Skin Problems

Given its antibacterial properties, it should come as no surprise that thyme is effective in battling the bacteria that cause acne. Healthcare professionals and scientists have found evidence that supports the efficacy of thyme in helping get rid of acne.

For instance, in 2012 a group of Leeds Metropolitan University researchers gave a presentation at the Society for General Microbiology spring conference in which they discussed their findings on the effects of three plant-based tinctures on Propionibacterium acnes an in vitro acne model. The tinctures employed were thyme, marigold and myrrh.

What they discovered was that thyme was not only more effective in treating the acne model than marigold or myrrh (as well as plain alcohol), but also produced better results than benzoyl peroxide at standard concentrations used in over-the-counter acne products.[16]

In addition, various studies including one published in 2018 in the journal Molecules indicate that thyme has yeast-inhibiting and yeast killing properties.[17]

Here is a simple way to create a thyme-based skin treatment gel at home:

7. Works as a Natural Mosquito Repellent

Thyme oil repels insect pests such as mosquitoes, fleas and lice.

In a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association researchers disclosed that a 5 percent thyme oil provided a 91 percent protection rate from mosquitoes when applied to the skin of hairless mice. [18]

In a study published in December 2013 in the open access journal PLOS One, scientists discussed the repellent, irritant and toxic effects of 20 plant extracts, mainly essential oils, on adult Anopheles gambiae (a major mosquito vector for transmitting malaria). The effects of these extracts were compared to those of DEET and permethrin.

The results showed that most plant extracts had irritant, repellent and/or toxic effects on An. gambiae adults, but only Cymbopogon winterianus (Citronella), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon Cinnamon) and Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) had all three effects.[19]

Make and use a thyme-based insect repellent spray. Here is how: In a 2-ounce empty spray bottle, add 1½ tablespoons of distilled water, 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil, 1 teaspoon of vodka or witch hazel, and 15-25 drops of thyme essential oil. Shake well before spraying on your skin.

8. Relieves Muscle Spasms

If you experience muscle cramps or those menstrual in origins, thyme may afford the relief you need.

The plant itself is a good source of magnesium which both prevents and eliminates cramps thanks to its normalizing effect on the function of both muscle and nerves.[3] Thyme also contains polyphenolic compounds, which have anti-inflammatory properties.[20]

Thyme tea is often recommended for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as menstrual cramps. Most people find relief by consuming 1 to 4 cups of thyme tea a day.

You can also mix 2 or 3 drops of thyme oil with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil or olive oil, and use the oil blend to massage the affected area to help ease spasms.

9. Prevents Cancer

Thyme contains compounds which have anticancer properties, one of the most potent being carvacrol. This suggests that thyme is a potential cancer-fighting food.[21]

A 2012 study published in Nutrition and Cancer found thyme to be a promising candidate in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for treating breast cancer.[22]

And, in a 2015 study published in Anti-Cancer Drugs carvacrol was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of the two colon cancer cell lines.[23]

Further, the journal Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry published a study in 2017, in which the researchers reported that the thymol in thyme inhibited the proliferation of cultured brain tumor cells obtained from rats.[24]

10. Fights Bad Breath

Bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by bacteria and sometimes fungi in the mouth. Thyme can help fight bad breath thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal action. Not surprisingly, thyme is an ingredient in many commercial mouthwash products.[25]

One inexpensive way in which you can use thyme to combat halitosis is to make and use a homemade mouthwash with it.

Boil 1 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Strain and allow the liquid to cool to room temperature. Bottle and use it for gargling, 2 or 3 times a day.

Alternatively, add 1 or 2 drops of thyme essential oil to a cup of warm water and gargle using it. Make and use this solution twice daily.

Schött G, Liesegang S, Gaunitz F, et al. The chemical composition of the pharmacologically active Thymus species, its antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and the antiadherent effects of T. vulgaris on the bacterial colonization of the in situ pellicle. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28705510. Published September 2017.

All the tips mentioned here are strictly informational. This site does not provide medical advice. Consult with your doctor or other health care provider before using any of these tips or treatments. Read more.